Author J.K. Rowling has pledged to finance legal action by female patients and staff within the UK's National Health Service (NHS) who are challenging the inclusion of transgender women in women-only spaces. Rowling's offer comes after the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) indicated that transgender women would continue to access female wards, toilets, showers, and changing rooms, despite a new statutory code on single-sex spaces.
Rowling announced on social media platform X that the JK Rowling Women's Fund, a private legal fund she established, would provide financial backing for any female patient or staff member needing to fight "this assault on their legal rights." The MPFT, which serves Staffordshire and Shropshire, stated there would be "no immediate changes" to its policies following the implementation of the revised statutory code. Current MPFT policies permit patients to use single-sex facilities based on their gender identity rather than biological sex, and allow male staff identifying as women to use female facilities.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) updated code, which took effect recently, stipulates that single-sex services must be based on biological sex. It warns that admitting individuals of the opposite sex could legally render these spaces mixed-sex. This development follows a Supreme Court ruling that the terms 'woman,' 'man,' and 'sex' in the Equality Act refer to biological sex.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman criticized the MPFT's stance, accusing the trust of breaking the law and urging the Department of Health and Social Care and the EHRC to intervene. Braverman described the situation as a "scandal" on X.
This is the third time in recent weeks that Rowling has publicly offered financial support for legal cases concerning women's sex-based rights. Previously, she provided backing to women's organizations, including Beira's Place, a female-only sexual violence support service she founded, which had been criticized in a report by Amnesty International UK. That report has since been withdrawn, and Amnesty International UK issued a public apology. Rowling also offered assistance to the Women's Rights Network Northern Ireland with its legal costs when an event was canceled following complaints about the group's views on sex and gender.
Maya Forstater of the campaign group Sex Matters stated that Rowling's support has been instrumental for women seeking recourse after job losses or exclusion from female-only sports and services. Forstater commented that Rowling's actions send a message to institutions that they cannot disregard women's rights with impunity.
However, Rowling's financial backing of legal challenges has drawn criticism from transgender rights advocates. Amnesty International UK's now-retracted report had expressed concerns about wealthy individuals funding litigation against trans-inclusive policies.
The MPFT has acknowledged the Supreme Court's judgment and stated that it is reviewing its policies while awaiting further guidance from NHS England.